Barriers and Opportunities

Interviews were conducted with DPI extension staff and with case study farmers, to identify barriers and opportunities to managing threatened species on farms. This information indicates future directions for the outcomes of this project.

Conclusions from extension staff interviews
Opportunities to engage extension staff and programs in the protection of threatened species in agricultural landscapes have been identified as a result of the interviews

• Document costs and benefits of management change on farms.
• Provide information about threatened species, habitats and regulations.
• Emphasise generic farm practices and habitats conducive to species protection.
• Link project outcomes to current or future extension projects.
• Collaborate on development of training packages for extension officers and farmers.
• Collaborate with extension staff in development of information resources.
• Use existing communications opportunities such as seminars and newsletters.

Conclusions from farmer interviews
Many barriers to protecting threatened species and undertaking other conservation activities can be overcome, but may require additional funding and resources.

• On-going personal contact with knowledgeable DSE/DPI staff or scientists appears to result in greater knowledge and desire to protect threatened species by farmers.
• Farmer passion for protecting threatened species can influence some neighbours and peers, and supporting farmer champions could be considered.
• A central library of local information relating to threatened species would be helpful to ensure appropriate activities are undertaken.
• Simplified applications for and promotion of funding and labour support may activate latent desire to undertake conservation practices.
• Implementing conservation activities on farm can positively impact productivity and profitability, and where this can be clearly demonstrated it should be well publicised.
• Conservation activities can potentially be focussed on less productive areas of the farm and not affect farm productivity, and this fact should be highlighted further.
• Perceptions of government control and potential changes to legislation inhibit some farmers from applying for covenants and may require more effective promotion.

Down to Earth Research - Threatened Species and Farming - Farmer Case Studies (PDF 1.5MB)

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